New York Funding Shoreline Stabilization in Bulwagga Bay

Port Henry and Moriah, New York have been losing Lake Champlain shoreline to erosion. The Adirondack Park Agency estimates about 25 to 40 feet have been lost since 1995. The town-owned beach and campsite have been severely eroded and both could be completely lost without intervention. On December 19 Governor Andrew Cuomo announced grants from the state to fund stabilization projects.

This article by Fred Herbst on the Denpubs.com website gives the details.

Moriah, Port Henry get grants

Port Henry — The town of Moriah and village of Port Henry will receive $1.2 million in grant funding from the state’s Regional Economic Development Council initiative.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo made the announcement Dec. 19.

Moriah will get $249,815 for its Bulwagga Bay shoreline stabilization project and $200,000 for a Lake Champlain non-point source pollution subwatershed assessment and management plan.

The village of Port Henry will get $600,000 to replace 1,371 linear feet of water line and 1,686 feet of sewer line and install eight new fire hydrants.

The Housing Assistance Program of Essex County, Inc. will receive $150,000 to redevelop a building at 4316 Main St. in Port Henry as a mixed-use property with retail on the first floor and two senior citizen apartments on the second.

Statewide, a total of $738 million was awarded for 725 economic development projects in every region of New York State.

The Bulwagga Bay project is key for the town of Moriah and the entire North Country, Moriah Supervisor Tom Scozzafava said.

“This is great news for the community,” he said. “These grants are based on regional impact. Bulwagga Bay has an impact beyond the town of Moriah.”

The town-owned Bulwagga Bay beach and campsite on Lake Champlain is being damaged by erosion. Without action the public beach and 175-site campground will be lost.

“It has to be done,” Scozzafava said of the shoreline stablization project. “The town board can’t sit back and let that shoreline erode. It’s a black and white issue; there’s no gray area. It has to be done.

“We’re losing 6 to 10 feet of beach a year,” he said. “We’re losing the beach; we’re losing the campground.”

The shoreline has moved back 25 to 40 feet since 1995, according to the Adirondack Park Agency.